A/C Install, The quest for coolness begins Options

[jPs]

The PO had the engine rebuilt and the pulley was missing. I picked one up from slits here on the board and plan on installing it.

I'm planning on installing all new hose line that's 134 barrier and o'rings. however I'm gonna run r12. I have free access to a friends auto repair shop and he has all the needed equipment to evac, charge, etc and all I'll have to pay for is r12 and oil. He's pretty cool about everything it just has to be done afterhours and I have to do all the work myself. So basically I'll get it all plumbed and ready at my house and then over to his shop for the rest of the work. I still need to checkout pricing on hoses just haven't had time.

BTW: The old hoses were so brittle they cracked when pulling them out. The hardline is pretty much fubar with stuff in the line.

The compressor I picked up, while it weighs alot is in very good shape, the oil was clean and I couldn't find any debris so I'm gonna use it for now. I actually prefer to run r12 as it's superior to 134 (IMHO) and from my perspective the enviromental folks can (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pissoff.gif) I actually live in farm country and if you saw the cars around here mine is an epa dream in comparision.

Regarding the venting of the trunk I agree. My rough plan was to cut the tow hook as it's worthless and I will be welding in a scoop but I'll probably use a heavier gauge of metal to stand up to armadillos that are always on the road in the early morning and evenings. No sense in having bent up tin underneath if necessary. I'm also going to install galv. mesh to keep out the rocks. I pulled several 1" rocks out that had found themselves lodged around the condensor.

Keep the ideas coming as it makes one think more before throwing things together plus this thread will probably help someone down the road as I've learned more from this board than any manual can provide just in the past searches I've done.

[maf914]

If you wanted to keep the tow eye you probably could weld a little angle or square tube around the perimeters of the openings and add a some cross bracing at the tow eye panel. You don't do major towing with the tow eye, just a little pull if you get stuck in the mud or snow.

[MarkV]

My car came with a non operational VPC system installed. I found a DPD condensor on Ebay & Bought a Sanden rotary compressor. I plan on running R-12 or some kind of R-12 replacement. The A/C shop I talked to recomended against using R-134 because it is less efficient & produces higher high side pressures.

Be careful what you make the flap under the car out of. The factory VPC flap on my car hangs down & is constantly getting bent. Maybe some kind of stiff plastic or rubber would work better.

I like the idea of welding some small square tube around the condensor opening.

[Kerrys914]

The DPD system I have doesn't have the "scoop" and everything works fine. I do have a higher CFM fan so that might be making up the difference.

R-134a will work fine (vent temps in the 40's) in our systems with a few tweeks and can be easily obtained at the FLAPS (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I'll have my vent temps into the 30's for next summer (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) I just didn't feel like opening my system up again this year.


Does anyone know who the guys was who was looking for the DPD condenser cover? PLeas ehave him contcat me again (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Cheers